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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Animal models of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease
Randy E Sacco1, Russell K Durbin2, Joan E Durbin3
1Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States.
Abstract:
The study of human respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis and immunity has been hampered by its exquisite host specificity, and the difficulties encountered in adapting this virus to a murine host. The reasons for this obstacle are not well understood, but appear to reflect, at least in part, the inability of the virus to block the interferon response in any but the human host. This review addresses some of the issues encountered in mouse models of respiratory syncytial virus infection, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of alternative model systems.
